Saturday’s warm weather encouraged crowds to turn out and wait in the streets to watch the parade pass by, while others watched from windows and stood on walls.

Procession chairman Bob Parker said about 900 people had taken part in the procession, including 10 walking groups.

“It was a lot better than last year,” said Mr Parker. “The procession ran from one end of Garden Road straight through to the other – and we still had some people waiting to join in on the playing fields. We were pleased that a lot more people came this year.”

The Deputy Mayor of Calderdale, Coun Nader Fekri and the Deputy Mayoress Helen Silvester, inspected the procession and said they were impressed by what they had seen. Councillor Fekri and his family walked down with the parade to the gala field.

Gala Queen Emily Booth, aged 18, and her attendants Jodie Deacon and Kim Young, headed the procession in style in two open-topped cars along with Halifax Charity Gala Queen Sophie Farrell.

There was a special appearance in the parade by baby James Pepper, whose mum Debs went into labour in Wellholme Park at last year’s gala.